Our History

Timeline Explained

2011 Now operating solely as Bernicia. 2009/10 Board and Tenant Chairs Working Together. Governance and structural change plan agreed across Bernicia, heralding the next chapter, Bernicia working together as one. 2009 Building Success. In the two years since the Group was formed over 2600 homes have been modernised and 232 new homes built. 2008 New Phase Begins. Bernicia and Wansbeck Homes are launched. Cheviot Housing Association rebrands as Cheviot Homes. 2007 Decision for Housing to Move Away from Wansbeck District Council to Join Bernicia. Tenants vote for a large scale voluntary transfer of the housing stock, formerly owned by the council, to Wansbeck Homes. Executive Director of Resources and Operational Directors Appointed. Working under a “one organisation ethos”, bringing Bernicia closer together. Mike Smith, Andrea Malcolm, Jeannie McMillan and Stephen Eltringham. 2003 LIFE Initiative is Launched. LIFE brought a range of public, private and voluntary agencies together to develop and deliver an innovative and sustainable master plan for the regeneration of Newbiggin by the Sea and Ashington with Cheviot and Wansbeck working in partnership. 2001 Kingston Property Services is Launched.	1999 Relocation to Modern Premises Cheviot staff move to new premises in Beaminster Way, Kingston Park. Bernicia’s next chapter will see new headquarters provided for the Group as a whole. 1988 John Johnston (Deputy Group Chief Executive) Joins Cheviot. 1986 Cheviot has 2000 Homes in Management. 1985 Cheviot begins to secure significant private finance to build more homes. 1982 Cheviot completes it’s 1000th home. 1978 Bill Heads (Chief Executive) Joins Cheviot. 1974 Housing Corporation is Created signalling increased support to housing associations through grant funding to enable the provision of homes for local people in housing need. 1973 Cheviot’s First Housing Scheme for Rent is Launched Jennifer Avenue in Sunderland opens followed shortly by Whitbeck Court. 1969 Cheviot Housing Association is formed as a registered provider of affordable homes operating in the North East of England.

2011

Now operating solely as Bernicia.

2009/10

Board and Tenant Chairs Working Together. Governance and structural change plan agreed across Bernicia, heralding the next chapter, Bernicia working together as one.

2009

Building Success. In the two years since the Group was formed over 2600 homes have been modernised and 232 new homes built.

2008

New Phase Begins. Bernicia and Wansbeck Homes are launched. Cheviot Housing Association rebrands as Cheviot Homes.

2007

Decision for Housing to Move Away from Wansbeck District Council to Join Bernicia. Tenants vote for a large scale voluntary transfer of the housing stock, formerly owned by the council, to Wansbeck Homes.

Executive Director of Resources and Operational Directors Appointed.
Working under a “one organisation ethos”, bringing Bernicia closer together.
Mike Smith, Andrea Malcolm, Jeannie McMillan and Stephen Eltringham.

2003

LIFE Initiative is Launched. LIFE brought a range of public, private and voluntary agencies together to develop and deliver an innovative and sustainable master plan for the regeneration of Newbiggin by the Sea and Ashington with Cheviot and Wansbeck working in partnership.

2001

Kingston Property Services is Launched.

1999

Relocation to Modern Premises

Cheviot staff move to new premises in Beaminster Way, Kingston Park. Bernicia’s next chapter will see new headquarters provided for the Group as a whole.

1988

John Johnston (Deputy Group Chief Executive) Joins Cheviot.

1986

Cheviot has 2000 Homes in Management.

1985

Cheviot begins to secure significant private finance to build more homes.

1982

Cheviot completes it’s 1000th home.

1978

Bill Heads (Chief Executive) Joins Cheviot.

1974

Housing Corporation is Created
signalling increased support to housing associations through grant funding to enable the provision of homes for local people in housing need.

1973

Cheviot’s First Housing Scheme for Rent is Launched
Jennifer Avenue in Sunderland opens followed shortly by Whitbeck Court.

1969

Cheviot Housing Association is formed as a registered provider of affordable homes operating in the North East of England.